THE PITFALLS OF PRIDE

WHAT DOES PITFALL MEANS?

Pitfalls are hidden of unexpected danger that the proud do involve themselves into as they are too proud to see what lies ahead of them. Some dangers may not be hidden as such, but with the attitude of lifting themselves to heaven make one seem to forget that they are on earth in real sense.  The psalmist cried (Ps.  119:85) “The proud had dug pits for me, which is not according to your law.” There are those who in their arrogance dig pits as a trap to make the righteous fall into them, but instead they fall into them by themselves (Prov.26:27) “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.”  Perfect!  And another verse, he says (Prov.22:5) “Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who guards his soul will be far from them.”  Apostle Paul warns us not to associate with such people because as the preacher puts it, their way are full of thorns and snares and if one does not take precautions to guard their souls, they will be trapped as well (Rom. 16:17-18) “Now I urge you brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the heart of the simple.” Prophet Jeremiah lamented against his enemies thus (Lam. 3:47-48) “All our enemies have opened their mouths against us. Fear and a snare have come upon us, Desolation and destruction. My eyes overflow with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.” Jeremiah lamented for the destruction that had befallen the daughter of his people who have dig pits for themselves because of disobedience; many had fallen by pestilence, by famine, by sword while others were taken away captives to Babylon. The son of Jesse had this confidence (Ps. 57:6) “They have prepared a net for my steps; they have dug a pit before me; into the midst of it they themselves have fallen.” See also this (Ps. 7:14-16) “, Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made. His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.”  I do love this! Whatever evil that the wicked or the proud may have thought or plan for the righteous it shall by all means return upon his own head and fall in the trap that he has made.

ELIHU’S PITFALL OF PRIDE

In disgrace and pride Elihu answered Job with the knowledge that he thought he had acquired from a far and accused Job of Justifying himself (Job 35:9-16) “Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; they cry out for help because of the mighty. But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’ There they cry out, but He does not answer because of the pride of evil men.” Elihu considered Job as “pride evil man” that God had ceased answering because of his empty talk (V. 13) “Surely God will not listen to empty talk, nor will the Almighty regard it. Although you say you do not see Him, Yet justice is before Him, and you must wait for Him. And now, because He has not punished in His anger, nor taken much notice of folly, therefore Job opens his mouth in vain; he multiplies words without knowledge.” Elihu accused Job of pride because Job had declared his own righteousness (32:1-2) “So the three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God.” But Elihu’s presumption and self-righteousness became even more excessive than Job’s as he developed his pompous speech against the suffering saint (36:4) “For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.”  But later Elihu would understand that God had accepted Job, while his friends were condemned. Beloved, we need to be careful not to let our knowledge and commitment to God become a source of pride that will blind our eyes to those who may be more righteous than ourselves. One of the greatest sins that exist among Christian today beloved, is that of pride. We are proud of our superior theology or our intellectual knowledge, and this causes us to sit in judgment on those we consider inferior to ourselves.

Jeremiah the prophet admonishes that (Jer. 9:24) “But let him who glories glory in this; that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight.” And Apostle Paul says thus (1 Cor. 4:6-8) “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollo’s for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us- and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you.” Both Jeremiah and Paul warns against such boastings and glorifying of oneself because of the gifts that we may have received as believers. Let him who glory, glories that he understands and knows the Lord for those that are still in the world to adapt and follow suite. Beloved, he who understands and knows the Lord has a gentle spirit as the kingdom of God is not in word only but in power.

THE RULERS OVER GENTILES LORD IT OVER THEM

James and John considered themselves lord over the other disciples making the disciples greatly displeased with them (Mark 10:35-45) “Then James and John the sons of Zebedee, came to Him saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”  They were indeed arrogant and did not humble themselves at all but lifted themselves up in pride. And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” These two in their presumption and self-righteousness, lorded it all to themselves. They regarded not the other disciples but saw themselves superior to their colleagues. Because as the Lord’s brothers, they thought to have more glory and honor more than the other disciples and to share the same cup with the Lord Jesus. But to one’s amazement, when Christ was arrested, they all scattered and left their brother; teacher and master alone to carry His own cross by Himself. Peter though, denied Him, he had removed his sword for war had not Jesus commanded him to return it back and later followed afar off. (V. 38-40) “But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” This was a blow to them I guess! They thought to themselves that as the Lord’s brothers, they would get easily whatever they ask of from Jesus. (V. 41-45) “And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be a slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” I love the answer the Lord Jesus settled the contention of His disciples with in this case; for one to be great, stand out and be used by the Lord Mightily there must be the servitude attitude.

 With due respect, allow me to speak my mind or an experience have seen with many who serve God in “praise and worship team or other servants in other departments, and older members who may be by the privilege or grace of God, got the knowledge of salvation a while ago to the point that, they see themselves as the Methuselah’s of that given church or the body of Christ.  “We do seem to be holier than thou that we despise the service of others and especially the sanctuary keepers.” You find these servants can’t bend to assist in the cleaning of the sanctuary, yet they are the first ones and notorious in throwing litters all over but they can’t dare pick them up; thinking that there are those specially allotted to serve in that area. My beloved who cheated you? I personally serve in both areas, I know, I understand and speak from an experience. Those who serve as sanctuary keepers, it's just a service out of love and sacrifice they do render to God and no one in any case or in any way should despise them or look down upon them. The preacher said (Prov. 8:13) “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.” In another verse he says (Prov. 16:5) “Everyone proud in the heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished.”  If you want to be great among us beloved- be a servant! If you want God to use you as a vessel of honor be a servant! If you want to eat the good of the land be a servant! Last but not least, do to others what you would wish them to do for you. I speak to our shame beloved, let’s style up brethren. Knowledge is indeed power!

“Grace to you and Favor from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen and Amen and Amen.”